Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, step outside of your comfort zone, and feel the sense of pride that comes from giving back to your community.

No matter how busy you are, you can likely find at least a few hours to devote to volunteering. These are just a few of the many organizations with volunteer opportunities in the South Bay area.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor

This chapter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America has been serving children in the Harbor City area since 1937. If you enjoy working with children, this organization is for you. The club works with 2,300 children per day at 13 sites throughout the South Bay area.

Volunteers teach and mentor children and teens, often forming relationships that last a lifetime. Topics range from the arts to science and math--so there’s something for everyone. Other volunteers assist with event planning and recreation center supervision.

Harbor Interfaith Services

HarborInterfaithServices is all about empowering the homeless and working poor by providing temporary and permanent housing, childcare, and life skills training. The organization runs a 90-day homeless shelter and an 18-month transitional housing program that are both available at no cost to participants.

Volunteers are needed to run a food pantry and clothing donation center and assist the organization’s staff with tasks ranging from cleaning to filing. New volunteer orientations are held the second Wednesday of every month at 10:00 a.m. and the fourth Wednesday of every month at 3:30 p.m.

Rebuilding Together Greater Los Angeles

RebuildingTogether is the largest volunteer home repair organization in the U.S. Volunteers renovate the homes of the elderly to make them more accommodating to wheelchairs, walkers, or whatever other modifications are needed to allow residents to remain in their homes as long as possible.

With hundreds of thousands of residents over age 65 in the Los Angeles area, there’s plenty of work to be done. No construction or remodeling experience is necessary. Renovations are free to recipients and building costs are financed by donations from businesses and individuals.